This is another example of horrendous cat cruelty (which I refuse to dwell on because it might affect your mental health) by an allegedly mentally ill person whose mental health is being evaluated. I wrote a similar article on March 14, 2014 about a woman who did something something similar and equally cruel.
The woman put her cat in a microwave oven. This man, Darren Annovi, 42, put his cat in a conventional oven. To do this sort of thing you have to be mentally ill, in my opinion, even if you are not certifiably mentally ill as the acts of animal cruelty are so gross and sadistic as to be impossible to carry out by a sane person.
This man attended court on Wednesday last on a charge of aggravated animal cruelty. His cat was cooked alive1 just as the other cat was in the microwave.
We know that cats and other domestic animals are good for people with mental health problems but….are people with mental health problems good for domestic cats? The answer depends on how mentally ill the person is and what type of mental illness the person suffers from.
I am all for helping people with mental illness; there but for the grace of God go I, but we should give some thought to the cat’s welfare. Not all mentally ill people are cat killers etc. Heather says this in a comment – I agree with her of course:
Cats have helped a lot of mentally ill people. Don’t group all mentally ill in one large group! I have had chronic depression and panic attacks for most of my life. My cats have been there for the good times and the bad times. I have always cared for them very well. I have also fostered cats and kittens. It gives me purpose! So not all mentally ill people are animal murderers.
There are no checks on the standard of care that a cat owner can deliver to their cat. None whatsoever. It is pot luck for the cat if he/she ends up with a good cat caretaker – a true cat guardian – or a madman who should scare the living daylights out of a cat if the cat only knew.
The same can be said about dogs. Dogs are very pliable and accepting of their master’s behaviour. Arguably dogs are even more vulnerable to abuse from a mentally ill owner.
If and when registration of domestic cats comes into force, which is possible but highly unlikely, arguably the cat’s owner should also be checked for his/her suitability as a cat owner.
I don’t want to read about another cat killed in horrible circumstances. Domestic cats are vulnerable to the mad behavior of mentally ill people.
Note 1: I have presumed the cat was killed in the oven by heat rather than before being placed in the oven. If I am wrong please correct me in a comment. The reason why I don’t want to trawl the internet to try and check is because I want to avoid reading this story more than once.
Source: Batavia Man Accused…..
Yes, well said ME. A lot of criminals plead “diminished responsibility”, a form of temporary mental illness to get out of criminal behaviour.
I think you are very astute, Eva. It is sad for the person as well but it is sadder for the cat. It is hard to criticise people with mental illness but sometimes animals need to be protected from them just people need to be protected as well. Thanks Eva.
Michael – we know there are many aspects of how our brains function that still leave Doctors and scientist pondering over as they attempt in vain to make the puzzle piece fit into the box. I have studied a bit on mental illness in all it’s forms____
and from what I’m reading on his face I see autism but also an underlying criminal tendency towards animals and humans.
I think Darren Annovi has been a victim himself somewhere in his life. This of course does not condone his despicable actions or change anything.
This man will and can do worse if left to his own will. so unfortunate about that poor defenseless cat & sounds like something out of the movie “Apt Pupil” by Steven King’
Eva_
Someone can be severely mentally ill and still have the concept of right and wrong. Having a mental illness is not a get out of jail free card.
I agree with you completely. I’ll add your comment to the middle of the page. Thanks Heather for your contribution and good luck.
Cats have helped a lot of mentally ill people. Don’t group all mentally ill in one large group! I have had chronic depression and panic attacks for most of my life. My cats have been there for the good times and the bad times. I have always cared for them very well. I have also fostered cats and kittens. It gives me purpose! So not all mentally ill people are animal murderers.